Polyurethane coated resilient surface covering having improved fidelity of texture and process of manufacture
US6746756B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 16, 2003 |
| Grant date | Jun 8, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 16, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T428/24612
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Mechanically embossed resilient surface coverings having superior textural fidelity are prepared by mechanically embossing a polyurethane coated floorcovering before the polyurethane is cured. The mechanical embossing is conducted when the polyurethane is dry and the underlying plastic layer and the polyurethane are softened by heating. After the mechanical embossing step, the polyurethane is cured using ultraviolet (UV) light. The product can be cooled before or after UV curing. The invention is applicable to a variety of resilient surface covering products including floor and wall coverings which otherwise have a wearlayer which can be softened by heating. This includes surface coverings having the full range of decorative effects available in the art, including surface coverings which also have been, for example, chemically embossed, mechanically embossed, chemically and mechanically embossed or not embossed at all prior to application of the process of the invention.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.